All goods and services for
consideration, while free and personal services are excluded

All goods and services,
including telecom and housing construction, and all modes of transactions
(online, teleshopping, etc.) for consideration. Free and personal services
are excluded

2

Unfair trade practices (Defined as deceptive practices to promote the sale, use or supply of a good or service)

Includes six types of such
practices, like false representation, misleading advertisements

The new Act adds three
types of practices to the list, namely:
failure
to issue a bill or receipt; refusal to accept a good returned within 30
days; and disclosure of personal information given in
confidence, unless required by law or in public interest. Contests/ lotteries
may be notified as not falling under the ambit of unfair trade practices.

3

Product liability

No Provision

Claim for product liability
can be made against manufacturer, service provider, and seller. Compensation
can be obtained by proving one of the several specified conditions in the Act.

4

Unfair contracts

No Provision

Defined as contracts that
cause significant change in consumer rights. Lists six contract terms which
may be held as unfair.

5

Central Protection Councils (CPCs)

CPCs promote and protect
the rights of consumers. They are established at the district, state, and
national level.

The new Act makes CPCs
advisory bodies for promotion and protection of consumer rights. Establishes
CPCs at the District, State and National Level.

District: Up to Rs 20 lakh; State: Between Rs 20 lakh and up to Rs one crore;
National: Above Rs
one crore.

District: Up to Rs one crore; State: Between Rs one crore and up to Rs 10 crore;
National: above Rs 10
crore.

8

Composition of Commissions

District: Headed by current or former District Judge and two
members.
State: Headed by a current or
former High Court Judge and at least two members.
National: Headed by a
current or former Supreme Court Judge and at least four members.

District: Headed by a
president and at least two members.
State: Headed by a president and at
least four members.
National: Headed by a
president and at least four members

9

Appointment

Selection Committee
(comprising a judicial member and other officials) will recommend members on
the Commissions.

No provision for Selection
Committee. Central Government will
appoint through notification.

10

Alternate dispute redressal mechanism

No Provision

Mediation cells will be
attached to the District, State, and National Commissions

11

Penalties

If a person does not comply
with orders of the Commissions, he may face imprisonment between one month
and three years or fine between Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000, or both.

If a person does not comply with orders of
the Commissions, he may face imprisonment up to three years, or a fine not
less than Rs 25,000 extendable to Rs one lakh, or both.

12

E-commerce

No Provision

Defines direct selling,
e-commerce and electronic service provider. The central government may
prescribe rules for preventing unfair trade practices in e-commerce and
direct selling.

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